Synopsis
Designed as an alternative to overly comprehensive, lengthy, and expensive introductory texts, Essential Criminology is, as its title implies, a concise overview of the field. The book guides students through the various definitions of crime and the different ways crime is measured. It then covers the major theories of crime, from individual-level, classical, and rational choice to biological, psychological, social learning, social control, and interactionist perspectives. }Designed as an alternative to overly comprehensive, lengthy, and expensive introductory texts, Essential Criminology is, as its title implies, a concise overview of the field. The book guides students through the various definitions of crime and the different ways crime is measured. It then covers the major theories of crime, from individual-level, classical, and rational choice to biological, psychological, social learning, social control, and interactionist perspectives. The more sociocultural theories, beginning with social ecology theory and moving on to strain/subcultural theory, conflict, Marxist, and anarchist approaches, are also treated. In the last chapter, Mark Lanier and Stuart Henry examine new directions in criminology, including left realist, feminist, postmodern/constitutive, and integrative theory.Among the several unique, student-friendly features in Essential Criminology are an original, integrated, prismatic definition of crime; equal time examples from both white-collar (suite) and conventional (street) crime; chapter-by-chapter discussion of criminal justice policy implications; summary empirical research charts for each of the theories; and summary concept tables. }
Review
“Essential Criminology is a text for this century. It puts 'crime' in the context of globalization, communication, privatization, disease, security and terrorism. While other texts are still echoing concern with 19th century street crime, this book grapples with these crimes as well as the crimes of the imagined future: that which students must know. In an age of vulgar summaries and often wrong synopses, this book stands out. I recommend to scholars and to students alike. It really is essential." —Peter K. Manning, Northeastern University "In the third edition of this rich, accessible, and exciting text, Lanier and Henry have gone global in their approach to crime, criminology, and criminological theory. Their nuanced examination and synthesis of theory development—past, present, and future—is as good as it gets. My students, who gave the earlier editions high marks for conceptual clarity and applied orientation, will love the new version for the same reasons and especially because this text is located within a changing world that they find themselves a party to." —Gregg Barak, Eastern Michigan University
“Essential Criminology presents a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach to understanding, studying, and researching criminal behaviour. With the introduction of the crime prism, Lanier and Henry have provided a broader framework to the concept of crime and criminal behaviour. The interconnectedness of the world has generated transnational crimes such human trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, environmental crime and drug trafficking. In Essential Criminology the feminist perspective is provided to explain female criminal behaviour as central to criminal activities and new directions in criminological theory are explained. Professionals working in the fields of public health, criminology, criminal justice and legal policy making, and crime prevention through environmental design will greatly benefit from this book." —Thozama Lutya, University of Pretoria “Essential Criminology is a pretty bold title. It suggests that the authors, Mark Lanier and Stuart Henry, have produced a text that provides all a student needs to understand crime ... After reading this innovative text, I am convinced that the authors made good on their title.” –Teaching Sociology Praise for Previous Editions:
"Comprehensive, accessible, engaging, and concise, covering key theories from conservative to critical with very useful early chapters on defining criminology, crime, and crime data. Each subsequent chapter includes a succinct overview of a set of core theories, an illuminating section on limitations and policy implications, and a precise summary of key points (including basic idea, human nature, society and social order, causality, criminal justice policy and practice, and evaluation). Unlike many texts, this inclusion provides the student and the well-versed abundant opportunities for engagement and critical dialogue. No text on theories of crime on the market can compete with the extensive and precise coverage of core theories in crime causation along with the seductive encouragement to actively engage the respective theories. Essential Criminology is also futuristic, providing the grounds for constructive critical engagement with emerging perspectives. This will not only appeal to students but also to those well-versed seeking a comprehensive, critical reference text. Three cheers for the innovative and comprehensive exposition and critique!" —Dr. Dragan Milovanovic, Justice Studies, Northeastern Illinois University
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